Diagnostic cos thrive on unethical practices

Most of the diagnostic companies in the country are allegedly involved in unethical business promotional activities to allure doctors. Such companies, as allegations say, try to allure doctors with attractive commissions and gifts to induce them to prescribe more tests...

DSEX dips below 4,600-pt once again

Stocks witnessed drastic decline last week with sluggish trading as investors showed lack of confidence in local companies by selling off shares throughout the week. The week featured four trading sessions as Thursday was public holiday on the occasion of...

Recognising transgenders as the third gender

In India, the Supreme Court recognises transgenders as the 'third gender.' This has brought hope among the transgender community, for this is a landmark ruling certainly. On April 15, 2014, Down to Earth released the news that 'transgender people will...

Cox\\\'s Bazar sea beach in jeopardy

The Cox's Bazar sea beach is one of the natural beauties in this world. Thousands of tourists are visiting this spot every day from home and abroad. This natural beauty captivates anyone and could mitigate the mental anguish of a...

Taxicab service too hot to handle

So the capital has got a taxi service, after a long gap. The inhabitants of the capital who are not fortunate enough to own a car, eagerly waited for the luxury taxicabs in the hope that they would be able...

BAIRA elections Saturday

The biennial elections of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) will be held on May 3 (Saturday). A total of 924 voters will cast votes to elect 27 EC members of two panels led by Mohd Abul Bashar and...

Govt plans to construct 10 dormitories in EPZ areas for female RMG workers

The government has planned to construct ten dormitories in the country's export processing zone (EPZ) areas in a bid to solve the long-standing housing problems of female RMG workers.  "The authorities concerned are going to build the dormitories for the...

BSC suspected of compromising standards leading to quality fall

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is allegedly compromising on standards in its move to buy six new vessels from China, sources said. The 'compromise' may lead to a fall in quality of the vessels to be supplied to the corporation,...

Dhaka, Colombo agree to ink coastal shipping accord

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Wednesday agreed to sign a coastal shipping agreement aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, officials said.   The decision came at the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on maritime...

Use of economic policies

Economic policies are usually used as instruments to solve economic problems in an economy. In recent times, our country is experiencing some problems caused not by the malfunctioning of pure economic forces but by the political forces. Some of the...

Better safety and lesser disparity

Bangladesh is endowed with rich human capital. It may not have oil, gold or copper as much as others, but has brain, hands and bodies as the unique resources. The majority of the people in this country are involved in...

Stocks close flat,turnover up

Stocks closed flat into the red on Wednesday after three sessions’ correction with turnover improved slightly as investors went for last minutes buying spree on large cap stocks. Wednesday was the last trading day of the week as tomorrow (Thursday)...

DSE, CSE slip at opening

Share prices on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed negative trend in early hours of trading on Wednesday, the last trading day of this week. DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went down by 14.19...

RMG sub-contracting—an \\\'overlooked\\\' risk factor

The Bangladesh apparel industry has been at the centre of both national and international attention since the Rana Plaza collapse that had claimed an estimated 1135 lives on April 24 last year. A flurry of activities involving both local and...

Govt losing large amount in taxes as DPI providers not under tax net

The government is losing large amount of money in taxes as many of the foreign companies are supplying products to Bangladesh directly through their local agents without being registered locally, industry insiders said. The Direct Proforma Invoice (DPI) providers running...

\\\'Compliant\\\' garment factories shining as orders roll in

Apparel factories with a good track record of workers' welfare are receiving increased orders from global retailers and buyers, industry insiders said. Big factories compliant with labour standards have seen a sharp increase in work orders in recent months.    Workers'...

Fresh move to offload shares of 20 SoEs

The government has initiated a fresh move to offload shares of 20 state-owned enterprises (SoEs) in the capital market amid failure of the state entities to do so for the last couple of years, officials said. Under the move, the...

Death of integrity

We lament the increasing lack of integrity in our leaders. From submitting fake degrees to the Election Commission of Pakistan (in many cases) to scams of all shades and hues, the list is endless. Every stone turned reveals one. Without...

On syndrome of shocks

Rural life in Bangladesh confronts a number of conundrums - 'ranging from vagaries of nature and uncertainties of the market to personal calamities of myriad types'. In this article, we shall depend on the conceptual framework espoused by S.R. Osmani...

Modi talks tough on Bangladesh

As certain comments by some hard-line communal leaders have stoked fears and tensions among the minority communities, Narendra Modi, the front runner for prime ministership, has sought to allay such fears, saying that the country would be governed by the...

DSE turnover dips below Tk 4b again

Stocks declined for the third straight session on Tuesday with turnover dipped below Tk 4.0 billion-mark once again on the prime bourse as investors were reluctant to make fresh investments. DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE)...

DSE, CSE dive at opening

The prices of most of the stocks on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw negative trend in early hours of trading on Tuesday, the third trading session of the week. DSEX, the prime index of the...

NU plans 9-month academic session

The National University (NU) authorities are planning to refix its academic session including introduction of nine-month academic year to modernise the university's education system. Sources at the university said they had some specific agenda to upgrade the country's lone chain...

After Rana Plaza, what comes next?

On April 24, 2013 the Rana Plaza, an eight-storied commercial building, collapsed at Savar off Dhaka city. On May 13, just 21 days after the accident, search for the dead ended with the death toll standing at 1,131. Approximately 2,515...

Biman sinking in loss

Govt to promote 11 products for export diversification

The government is set to provide all sorts of policy support to eleven domestic products to help diversify exports, commerce ministry officials said. They said the products would be promoted under special supervision of the Export Promotion Bureau so that...

BRTA digitisation yet to yield expected results

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is yet to come up with the expected performance in reducing corruption, malpractices and financial irregularities despite digitisation done by spending a big sum of money. The BRTA has launched several programmes by spending...

Stocks close lower for second day

Stocks closed lower for the second running session on Monday with turnover remained sluggish as investors continued to sell shares amid cautious trading. The market started with a positive note, but could not sustain. At the end of the session,...

DSE, CSE open positive

Share prices on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw positive trend in early hours of trading on Monday amid modest see-saw. DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went up by 18.98 points or...

Most steel mills in dire straits

Most of the steel mills are in dire straits due to low demand, energy shortage and non-availability of local billets, sources said. Slow progress of the government's annual development programme (ADP), dull business in the housing sector and weak flow...